Intelligent rfid information management system

ABSTRACT

An identification tag includes a microchip to store identification information. The identification information includes a model number of an item associated with the identification tag and location information associated with a manufacturer of the item. The identification tag also includes an antenna adapted to communicate with a receiver via radio frequencies.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Divisional Patent Application of and claimspriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/026,531, filed on Dec.30, 2004 and entitled “INTELLIGENT RFID INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,”which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to an intelligent radiofrequency identification (RFID) information management system.

BACKGROUND

Automatic identification (auto ID), or automatic information capture, isthe broad term that refers to a cluster of technologies that helpmachines identify objects. Auto identification is often coupled withautomatic data capture. That is, to identify items, one has to captureinformation about them and somehow get the data into a computer databaseor other digital form without anyone having to type the information inmanually.

The aim of most auto-ID systems is to increase efficiency, reduce dataentry errors, and to liberate people to perform more value-addedfunctions, such as providing customer service. There are a host oftechnologies the accomplish auto-Identification. These include barcodes, smart cards, voice recognition, some biometric technologies(retinal scans, for example), optical character recognition, and radiofrequency identification (RFID).

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term for technologiesthat use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. Thereare several methods of identification, but the most common is to store aserial number that identifies a person or object, and perhaps otherinformation, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna. The chip andthe antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag. Theantenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to areader. The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFIDtag into digital information that can then be passed on to computersthat can make use of it.

Radio frequency identification first appeared in tracking and accessapplications during the 1980s. These wireless systems allow fornon-contact reading. RFID is used for everything from tracking cows andpets to triggering equipment down oil wells. The most commonapplications are tracking goods in the supply chain, reusablecontainers, high value tools and other assets, and parts moving to amanufacturing production line or tracking moving targets such asregistered cars on toll roads. RFID is also used for security, such ascontrolling access to buildings and networks. It is also used in paymentsystems based on contactless smart cards that let customers pay foritems without using cash.

RFID has become an important technology with applications in many areas,from inventory control to distribution of controlled goods (e.g.medication) and access to toll roads. Inventory control and managementis one of the most active fields of applications. Most systems currentlybeing developed, however, are for the capture rather than management ofinformation. RFID information management systems currently underdevelopment today are primitive and don't take advantage of nearreal-time access to up-to-date information and context.

RFID applications available today do not bring significant improvementin the product management, supply chain, and inventory systems. Forexample, RFID capture and management systems used to govern thedistribution of medicines merely capture the number in the RFID tag andare capable of blocking that number for confidentiality and privacyreasons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed descriptionthat follows, by reference to the noted drawings, by way of non-limitingexamples of embodiments of the present invention, in which likereference numerals represent similar elements throughout several viewsof the drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method of an exemplary specific embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is an annotated illustration of an ontological code of anexemplary specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of a system of an exemplary specificembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In a particular embodiment, an identification tag is disclosed thatincludes a microchip to store identification information and an antennato communicate with a receiver via radio frequencies. The identificationinformation includes a model number of an item associated with theidentification tag and location information associated with amanufacturer of the item.

In another particular embodiment, a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag is disclosed for automatic data capture. The RFID tagincludes an antenna adapted to communicate with an RFID reader and amemory including identification information. The identificationinformation includes a category of a product based at least in part on aproduct classification system and market information relating theproduct to a geographic market.

In still another particular embodiment a system is disclosed thatincludes a memory to store product inventory, shipping and routinginformation and logic having access to the memory. The logic receivesidentification information associated with one or more radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags. Each of the one or more RFID tags isassociated with at least one product. The identification informationincludes an electronic product code (EPC) code and classificationinformation to categorize the product. The logic applies one or morebusiness rules to the at least one product based on the classificationinformation.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention, through one or more ofits various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features orsub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of theadvantages that will be evident from the description. The presentinvention is described with frequent reference to RFID. It isunderstood, however, that RFID is merely an example of a specificembodiment of the present invention, which is directed broadly tomethods and systems for automatic information capture and management,within the scope of the invention. The terminology, examples, drawingsand embodiments, therefore, are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

A basic RFID system consists of three components: an antenna or coil; atransceiver (with decoder), also referred to as an interrogator orreader; and a transponder (REF tag) electronically programmed withunique information. An RFID a tag typically consists of a microchip thatstores the information, in combination with an antenna.

The interrogator or reader, which also has an antenna, emits anelectromagnetic signal. The tag antenna is tuned to receive the signal.A passive RFID tag draws power from the field created by the reader anduses it to power the microchip's circuits. The chip then modulates thewaves that the tag sends back to the reader and the reader converts thenew waves into digital data.

RFID tags and readers have to be tuned to the same frequency tocommunicate. RFID systems use many different frequencies, but generallythe most common are low-(around 125 KHz), high-(13.56 MHz) andultra-high frequency, or UHF (850-900 MHz). Microwave (2.45 GHz) is alsoused in some applications. Radio waves behave differently at differentfrequency, so proper frequency selection for a given application is aconsideration for RFID implementation.

Different frequencies have different characteristics that make them moreor less useful for selected applications. For instance, low-frequencytags are less expensive than ultra high frequency (UHF) tags, use lesspower and are better able to penetrate non-metallic substances. They areideal for scanning objects with high-water content, such as fruit, atclose range.

UHF frequencies typically offer better range and can transfer datafaster. They use more power, however, and are less likely to passthrough materials. Additionally, because UHF frequencies tend to be morecoherent, or focused, they require a clear path between the tag andreader. UHF tags might be better for scanning boxes of goods as theypass through a bay door into a warehouse.

RFID tags may be active or passive. Active RFID tags have a battery,which power the microchip's circuitry and broadcast signal to a reader.Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they draw power from the reader,which emit a fluxing electromagnetic field that induces a current in thetag's antenna.

Additionally, semi-passive tags use a battery to power the chip'scircuitry, but communicate by drawing power from the reader. Active andsemi-passive tags are useful for tracking high-value goods that need tobe scanned over long ranges, such as railway cars on a track, but theyare considered too expensive to put on low-cost items. Passive UHF tags,which cost under 50 cents in volumes of one million tags or more, are anattractive alternative. The read range of passive UHF tags is not as faras for active, typically less than 20 feet as compared to 100 feet ormore for active tags. Another advantage of passive tags is that therelatively low cost of makes them disposable so they can be disposed ofwith the product packaging.

The read range of passive tags depends on many factors: the frequency ofoperation, the power of the reader, interference from metal objects orother RF devices. In general, low-frequency tags are read from a foot orless. High frequency tags are read from about three feet and UHF tagsare read from 10 to 20 feet. Where longer ranges are needed, such as fortracking railway cars, active tags use batteries to boost read ranges to300 feet or more.

Typically a tag carries no more than 2 KB of data. This is sufficient tostore basic information about the item. A simple “license plate” tagcontains only a 96-bit serial number. The simple tags are less expensiveto manufacture and are useful for more applications where the tag willbe disposed of with the product packaging.

Microchips in RFID tags can be read-write or read-only. Read-write chipsallow an individual to add information to the tag or write over existinginformation when the tag is within range of a reader or interrogator.Read-write tags usually have a serial number that cannot be writtenover. Additional blocks of data can be used to store additionalinformation about the items the tag is attached to.

Some read-only microchips have information stored on them during themanufacturing process. The information on such chips cannot be changed.Other read-only tags have a serial number written to it once and thatinformation cannot subsequently be overwritten.

One problem encountered with RFID is the signal from one reader caninterfere with the signal from another where coverage overlaps. This iscalled reader collision. One way to avoid the problem is to use atechnique called time division multiple access (TDMA), where the readersare instructed to read at different times, rather than both trying toread at the same time. This ensures that the readers do not interferewith each other. A further complication, however, is that an RFID tag inan area where two readers overlap will be read twice. The system has tobe set up, therefore, so that if one reader reads a tag another readerdoes not read it again.

Another problem readers have is reading many chips in the same field,so-called tag collision. Tag collision occurs when more than one chipreflects back a signal at the same time, confusing the reader. Differentvendors have developed different systems for having the tags respond tothe reader one at a time. Since they can be read in milliseconds,however, it appears that all the tags are read simultaneously.

The present invention is broadly directed towards the use of RFIDs tomark products, e.g., parts or packaged medical supplies. Variousembodiments of the invention, however, apply to other fields as well,such as user access to toll roads, buildings, or equipment. The proposalis concerned with RFID information capture procedures to the extent ofsuggesting improved RFID content to provide richer information about theobjects marked and to classify newly captured entries in terms of anontology relevant to an application. An ontology-based handling of theinformation supplied with RFID enables the users to add reasoning andmatching capabilities to the applications using RFID for data capture.The invention thus provides the system architecture and softwarefunctionality to process RFID information.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method of an exemplary specific embodimentof the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, ontologically coded RFIDinformation is captured and submitted (10) to the local system. Theinformation is decoded (20) and a PML record is created. The record issubmitted (30) to the clearinghouse for correlation (40) with otherrecords. A result is obtained from the clearinghouse processing and oneor more actions are implemented (50) based on the result.

Broadly speaking, the invention adds intelligence to RFID reading andmanagement systems and devices by adding the following functionalities:

1. RFID numbers structured to support classifying and positioning theinformation about an object marked with the RFID within an ontology,even if the only information provided is the RFID number.

2. An ontology-based system that supports multi-dimensionalclassification, synonymy (for instance, in the classification andgeographical position of the object), and implementation of relativelycomplex rules as well as some reasoning capability.

3. A search engine that supports fuzzy matching of query terms to, forexample, replenish and order items.

4. A clearinghouse that consolidates information from multiplewarehouses and creates a consolidated inventory catalog.

5. A rules-based routing system that allows the users to optimize ordersbased on the system in terms of quickest delivery, highest quality, andthe lowest expense or other value-added features defined by the users,such as compatibility with locally adopted standards.

In addition, the architecture of the system provides a centralizedrepository where data flows from local RFID capture points, e.g.,warehouses, pharmacies, tollbooths, or airports. The architecturepermits implementation of value-added functionality, such as product andprice comparison, data marts dedicated to product groups or marketsegments, shipping and pricing optimization, as well as othercapabilities.

Several scenarios illustrating the capabilities of various embodimentsare provided below. The illustrated capabilities include fuzzysearching, SCM (supply chain management) optimization, executionmonitoring, and ordering. The applications described are exemplary arenot intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Current RFID supporting systems provide harvesting and capture of RFIDstogether with primitive ways to manage the information acquired usingRFID scanning. A typical application creates a record of an object witha certain RFID and submits this information to other systems if soequipped. Modern approaches to records retrieval and management,however, allow developers to support increasingly complex manipulationsof information captured in connection with RFID reading and adapt it tomany additional uses.

While it is attractive to capture information about the inventory in acontactless manner and match it with existing descriptions of parts, itis more useful to link this information with data about similar objects,e.g., parts from other vendors or generic drugs versus their brandequivalents. It is also useful to include information about location ofinventory and shipping options.

A system is thus provided that collects information from individualwarehouses or similar point locations and channels it into a centralclearinghouse. The clearinghouse is a record management and retrievalsystem, based on software applications normally used for this purpose,such as a relational database or a data warehouse. The systems includethe ontology interface that supports some reasoning capabilities as wellas complex rules implementation for shipping and routing optimizationand a search engine supporting, among other capabilities, fuzzy matchingof terms.

The rich retrieval capability in the system is supported by thecomposition of the RFID numbers. The RFID numbers are structured toinclude classification information that permits the system to identifythe captured information within a tree structure that includes relatedor similar parts, new developments and replacements. In addition to thenumber, the information injected from a certain warehouse or othersimilar location contains additions with regard to geographic locationand shipping options. Information about prices, possible price ranges,price modifications, promotions and other relevant price relatedinformation is injected from other systems.

The “intelligence” of RFID harvesting systems is enhanced by structuringnumbers to provide information not only about nature and origination ofa part or object, but also information relating to similar orsupplemental objects, constraints and limitations, enhancements, placein the classification, and so forth.

Currently, Electronic Product Code (EPC) is used to define RFID tags. Inthe Electronic Product Codes defined so far there are four fields, whichare, in order: a version number, defining the variety of EPC among anumber of possible structures; a domain manager number which iseffectively a manufacturer number; an object class which is equivalentto a product number; and a serial number. This information is not richenough to support automatic classification of objects. In addition toEPC, Physical Markup Language (PML) is utilized to define additionaldata that could be accessed by the sensor while reading EPCs or by othermeans. The goal of PML is to provide a collection of common,standardized vocabularies to represent and distribute informationrelated to EPC Network enabled objects. PML is an XML-derivativelanguage permitting the developers the freedom to define additionallanguage sets, but it is not semantically oriented.

To enable sophisticated automatic Classification and subsequentrules-based processing of numbers, the present invention upgrades thecurrently used codes structure and enriches it with semanticallyoriented elements. A model of such a number-based classification is theDewey-Decimal library classification system, which maps numbers andletters, and their positioning in a sequence, to a hierarchicalclassification system, comprising both general topic classification andcharacteristics of the instantiated object. Such an approach enables theautomatic classification of newly captured information in a moresophisticated way, pre-filling many fields and automatically activatingtriggers.

FIG. 2 is an annotated illustration of an ontological code of anexemplary specific embodiment of the present invention. Instead ofsimply adding another instance of an object identified by a number, thecoded number of FIG. 2 indicates that the object in question [A] 60 ispart of a class of objects [AB] 70. It is similar to object [Aa] 80 andreplaceable by [Aa, Ab, and Ac]. It is not allowed in Europe where ithas to be replaced by [Ab] and produced by a known set of vendors 90under amended regular warranty, for which the terms are available. Theprice is falling 100 as a trend over the last 2 years in its 5th year ofproduction. The item is overstocked in the warehouses in the US Mid-West110, and so forth.

The components of the code constructed in the illustrated manner areautomatically matched to the ontology, database schema(s), added tosearch indices, and supplemented with information at the local warehouseand other data when submitted to the local repository and then thecentralized clearinghouse. In the process of submission, the enrichedrecord based on the RFID code, can be translated into XML or otherrelevant languages to facilitate data processing.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of a system of an exemplary specificembodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 3 illustratesthe components of a local, specific, non-limiting, system of theinvention.

The system includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the followingcomponents:

1. Local RFID systems that include RFID capture, records management, andone or more modules for pre-processing and submission to the centralclearinghouse. In one embodiment, the information captured from objectsequipped with RFIDs is supplemented with the information aboutgeography, shipping options and other parameters relevant to thelocation in question.

The local system, such as a relational database with an attached datatransformation module, has a wide range of functionality, from simplyserving as a data collection, transformation, and transmission module toa fully enabled local system complete with ontology, search engine, andvarious application modules. The architecture assumes the consolidationof normalized data from the local systems in a central repository andimplemented as a distributed system.

2. Central Clearinghouse. The information from the local system issubmitted to a clearinghouse that serves as a central repository fordata collected from capturing product or access codes. The submissionmay operate as a batch process or as near-real-time submission followingprocessing by the local inventory and similar systems. Captured RFIDdata delivered directly to the central clearinghouse without priorsubmission to the local system is also supported either for allinformation or for selected records types. The central clearinghousecontains a meta-catalog of products and a variety of modules inconjunction with the catalog, ranging form catalog management toordering and data processing.

Optional data marts contain topic/market segment specific information.The system also contains data marts, which limit the scope of thecentral clearinghouse. Data marts may be specialized either by afunction (e.g., shipping optimization) or product category (e.g.,consumer over the counter medical equipment). Data marts are subsets ofthe central clearinghouse and are searchable concurrently if so defined.

3. Search and Match Engine. The system supports a sophisticated searchfor products to allow finding products when there is no direct matchbetween the query and the entries in the catalog. The search enginesupports three types of search parameters:

-   1. Exact match;-   2. Fuzzy match; and-   3. Based on reasoning.

Exact match querying is self-explanatory: the system finds products (orother records) that exactly match the terms of the query.

Fuzzy matching is set up to support matches that have a certainpercentage of common parameters with the query. The measurement ofcommunality under this paradigm can either be flexible, with allsearchable parameters taken into consideration, or defined by the usersor administrators with only certain parameters made flexible and onlycertain thresholds allowed. This type of search is supported by theclassification that links related products. It also measures the levelof commonality between the products.

The third type of search, reasoning-based, is supported by the ontologyassociated with the system. It allows the users to perform queries thatare not well defined initially and can be refined using the ontology.

4. Rule Engine. After the data from the RFID readers have been cleanedand aggregated. Rule engines encode the business rules that are ofimportance to the organization and associate these rules with all theoperations performed by the system. For instance, a rule that isimportant in restocking might be: if the inventory falls below a certainlevel, then reorder the item. This can be encoded as a rule such as:Current-Inventory<Level=>Trigger(ReOrderAction).In addition to the business rules, rules dealing with data manipulationor routing can be formulated.

There are several rule engines that work with rules of the type givenabove. Some advantages of such a representation are:

-   1. Ease of use by business users;-   2. Ease of modification of rules to take into account new business    cases; and-   3. Ease of implementation.

In addition to the business user side, rules themselves process thedata, putting constraints or flags on the records or fields within themin accordance with the predefined rules. For example, a rule formulatedto ensure that after the level of product A reaches a certain quantity,it is labeled “overstocked” in the system, triggers price revision, andclocks new shipments into the region in question, is enabled.

5. Ontologies. Ontologies are powerful tools that can be utilized invarious ways to make use of the information captured with RFIDtechnologies. Ontology is one of the central concepts of the knowledgerepresentation. Typically, the word ontology refers to two things:

1. A study of the subject of the categories of things that exist or mayexist in some domain. Thus ontology is the study of categories. (Cf.biology, which is the study of living things, and theology which is thestudy of knowledge pertaining to God).

2. The product of such a study is called an ontology.

The product of an ontological study will as a minimum come up with atype hierarchy. It may also come up with a relation hierarchy, as is thecase in conceptual graph-theory. These two combined will be called anontology. (http://www.huminf.aau.dk/cg/).

In the present invention, ontology is a detailed domain definition forthe trading community. It includes interrelated hierarchies of conceptsin the areas of geography, inventory control, shipping, fulfillment,ordering, etc. The ontology is created prior to the knowledge capture,using one of the commonly used ontology standards, such as DAML+OIL.

In addition to the hierarchical listing of concepts, ontology describesrelations among them and concepts, allowing the developers to input somereasoning and intelligence into the system. The reasoning capability canbe used for pre-filling or deriving content based on informationcaptured with RFID. For example, if the product being shipped to awarehouse is a UK standard telephone adapter, the system may pre-fill UKas a primary market and use DHL as a primary shipping company becausethis type of adapter is only used in the UK. It can also pre-fill thepart number if it is not included in the RFID number.

Finally, the ontology will help determine alternative parts is theoriginal part number is not available, including, for example, areference to a multi-country telephone adapter that has a UK-specificoutlet. If, on the other hand, the information captured through RFIDindicates that the part is the US standard phone adapter, then theprimary markets can be defined as US, Japan, Switzerland, and othercountries using this standard, shipping options can be pre-filled aswell, and the part number can b determined accordingly.

The ontology can also be used as a foundation for richer search andretrieval. For example, a search for “telephone adapter” will generatean additional question about the destination country and retrievedrecords will contain additional information that was not included in thesearch. In another example, if a person is looking for telephoneadapters for Switzerland, he/she will be offered the standard USadapters because the record indicates that Switzerland and US are usingthe same standard outlet.

Examples of the uses to which ontological organization may be putinclude:

1. To map information obtained from PML servers to a form usable forreports. For instance, the PML server information might contain dataabout Coke.RTM. and Pepsi,.RTM. but for reporting, a company might needto aggregate this information under a more general category calledbeverages.

2. Ontologies help to classify interchangeable items. An ontology isuseful, for instance, to substitute one generic napkin by another.

3. An ontology is useful to aggregate the raw RFID data into a moreuseful form. For instance, readers might be classified intoItemEntryReader, ItemLocationReader and so forth, so that signals fromthem can be classified and aggregated accordingly.

4. An ontology supports more sophisticated functions such as interactivesearching, price optimization, and routing of requests and shipments.

5. An ontology can be adapted to derive information and instructionsfrom data input in the system. For example, an ontology can containdirections to replace a part with a similar one if conditions associatedwith the order support such a modification.

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

1. Execution Monitoring:

a. Assume that pallets have to be shipped to and picked up variouslocations in a city. The capacity of a truck is limited. By using realtime data (supplied by RFID) on which pallets are shipped where, and thesize of the pallets, an execution monitoring system tracks informationsuch as (a) Whether pallets were delivered on time (b) Make use of theinformation to determine routes for picking up and delivering packets,such that capacity constraints are obeyed.

b. Use real time data to see whether a particular promotion for the saleof an item was successful.

2. Supply Chain Planning

a. The use of real time data can affect supply chain planning in thefollowing way: Assume that initially the plan is made with forecastdata. Now when real time data comes in, the plan is updated to reflectthe new information. For this to happen, a new planning paradigm, with atight link between execution and planning, is implemented.

a. Ordering system with fuzzy matching;

b. Price optimization module;

c. SCM (Supply Chain Management) improvement;

d. Execution monitoring; and

e. Automatic classification of information obtained by RFID capture.

The invention provides a system that takes full advantage of the modemapproaches to data and information processing in conjunction with RFIDtechnology. To realize potential improvements offered by RFID technologydata capture and processing is improved by:

1. Novel classification system to improve data collection via RFIDtechnologies;

2. Novel architecture channeling automatically classified data to thecentral repository of clearinghouse, where it is prepared for multipleapplications, from product category data marts to optimized ordering.

3. The system supports multiple applications while providing potentialnear-real time response to changes in the marketplace to significantlyimprove market efficiency.

4. Specific embodiments of the system contemplate a Customer RelationsManagement (CRM) system in the B2B context that coordinates ordering,fulfillment, shipping, and payment by participating organizations.Trading partners can define the rules based on the preferences. Forexample, a trading partner can have a rule for canceling the order iffulfillment is delayed by more than a week. This rule will cause thesystem to exclude potential providers with a history of delays.Alternatively or additionally a trading partner can have a rule to waituntil optimal pricing (defined as 10% or more off the average) isavailable, in which case the agent will be automatically set up tomonitor the price movement for the period of time predefined in therules.

Although the invention has been described with reference to severalexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have beenused are words of description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although theinvention has been described with reference to particular means,materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to allfunctionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses suchas are within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An identification tag comprising: a microchip to store identificationinformation, the identification information including a model number ofan item associated with the identification tag and location informationassociated with a manufacturer of the item; and an antenna adapted tocommunicate with a receiver via radio frequencies.
 2. The identificationtag of claim 1, wherein the location information includes a geographiclocation related to a location where the item was manufactured.
 3. Theidentification tag of claim 1, wherein the identification informationincludes data related to a geographic restriction identifying where theitem can be sold.
 4. The identification tag of claim 3, wherein theidentification information includes data related to one or moresubstitute items that can be substituted for the item.
 5. Theidentification tag of claim 4, wherein the identification informationfurther includes a replacement restriction identifying a set of vendors,and wherein one or more substitute items are produced by at least one ofthe vendors of the set of vendors according to the replacementrestriction.
 6. The identification tag of claim 1, further comprisingpricing information associated with the item.
 7. The identification tagof claim 1, wherein the identification tag is a passive radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag.
 8. The identification tag of claim 1, whereinthe identification tag is an active radio frequency identification(RFID) tag.
 9. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein theidentification information includes classification information toclassify the item with respect to other items.
 10. A radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag for automatic data capture, the identificationtag comprising: an antenna adapted to communicate with an RFID reader;and a memory including identification information, the identificationinformation comprising: a category of a product based at least in parton a product classification system; and market information relating theproduct to a geographic market.
 11. The RFID tag of claim 10, whereinthe identification information further comprises manufactureridentification information.
 12. The RFID tag of claim 10, wherein themarket information includes data related to a location where the productis not to be sold.
 13. The RFID tag of claim 10, wherein the marketinformation includes data related to a location where the product ispermitted to be sold.
 14. The RFID tag of claim 10, wherein theidentification information further comprises data related to asubstitute product.
 15. The RFID tag of claim 10, wherein theidentification information further comprises data related to a salesrestriction that defines geographic sales restrictions, productrestrictions, and substitute product restrictions to be applied todistribution of the product.
 16. A system comprising: a memory to storeproduct inventory, shipping and routing information; logic having accessto the memory, the logic adapted to receive identification informationassociated with one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags,each of the one or more RFID tags associated with at least one product,the identification information including an electronic product code(EPC) code and classification information to categorize the at least oneproduct, the logic adapted to apply one or more business rules to the atleast one product based on the classification information.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the one or more business rules comprise afirst business rule to prohibit distribution of the at least one productto a particular geographic location.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe one or more business rules further comprise a second business ruleto identify one or more substitute products that may be distributedwithin the particular geographic location instead of the at least oneproduct.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more businessrules further comprise a third business rule to identify a list ofvendors that may distribute the identified one or more substituteproducts within the particular geographic location, wherein the logic isadapted to apply the first, second and third business rules to controldistribution of the at least one product.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein the identification information further comprises at least one ofa business rule, a product type, a product category, and comparableproduct data.